Millions of people around the globe play StarCraft, but what is it that sets the individuals who make it into the big leagues apart from everyone else?

Growing up in Korea, Kim Hak Soo was no different than any other StarCraft fan, yet one day he would become Oz, whose name and skills are renowned worldwide.

As with countless others, StarCraft began as a mere pastime for Oz, one that quickly grew into so much more than he could have imagined:
 

 
It was in grade 12 that Oz realized he wanted his passion for StarCraft to be more than that - he wanted it to be his life.

But it would not be easy, with the road to becoming a pro gamer filled with struggle and strife. Even making the decision to pursue such a path was a great challenge for Oz:
 

 
Once the decision was made, Oz had another challenge to face: his parents.

In spite of a lack of support from home, Oz was driven to follow his passion and determined to prove to his parents that he could make it, with or without their help:
 

 
While this is a path Oz does not suggest for others, he was fortunate enough to find success and had proven that his skill and passion for the game was enough, saying: "… when I came back, I asked for their understanding again, and succeeded in convincing [my parents] this time. Since then, they have been my number one fans. They check all my games and cheer regardless of results."

Going into the WCS America round of 16, Oz feels confident. Though he says “Pigbaby is the one to look out for”, he knows it’s his time to shine:
 

 
It is with the support of his parents and his avid fans that he will finally stand triumphant over the competition.
 

 
With special thanks to Oz for taking the time out of his busy schedule for this interview and James Mal Song for his excellent translation.

Full interview

Zenobia: Hi, Oz! So do you feel confident going into the round of 16?
Oz: Comparative to the other brackets, I find mine rather easy. Having said that, I am quite confident coming to the Ro16, but will make sure this confidence does not turn into cockiness.
 
Zenobia: If you win WCS America, how do you want to celebrate?
Oz: Hmm… I have never thought about it. I might just turn on #YOLOSWAG mode and go wild. LOL.
 
Zenobia: What player are you most concerned about going into Group A and why?
Oz: Pigbaby is the one to look out for. He has a very unique playstyle, and especially in PvP matchups, where such a style can be super effective. Unfortunately, I do not have much information or VODs to work with and have very little time to study him.
 
Zenobia: Do you have any pre-game routines/superstitions?
Oz: I do not know if I can call this a routine or a superstition, but I starve before any matchup. The excuse for starving is that, with an empty stomach, the level of concentration goes up. The fact is that the hunger drives me to execute strategies and plays quicker and more precisely so I can go eat. #Protoss, right? Lots of strategies and timings to work with and, when all goes south, the decisive deathball A-moves.
 

Zenobia: What was your most memorable experience at a tournament?
Oz: You caught me off guard here. There have been many, but nothing is coming into my head at the very moment. My manager is telling me to say the moment when I met him and went touring Toronto in WCS S3 GF with JD ByuL. That was fun. Yeaaah... that was fun.
 
Zenobia: What was your favorite experience with a fan?
Oz: Oh, where do I begin? I am just going to use this as a short shout-out. There is this fan that made me a website. There is this diehard Liquid HerO fan that always tweets me, pretending to be mine. Psshhh. Lol. I have also heard that there is a self-proclaimed number one fan on my manager’s stream. Apologies for not being able to show myself as often as I had hoped, and I am sorry that I could not personally mention all of you guys. Let me say one last thing: as the one that feeds off your support and interest, thank you and I love you all.
 
Zenobia: What made you first start playing StarCraft? At what point did you fall in love with the game?
Oz: I guess my reasons to playing StarCraft are not so much different to most other players’. As a young kid, StarCraft was my biggest hobby. I admired those pro gamers who were playing on TV, and that admiration got me to change my hobby into a hardcore passion. Now that I look back, I do not know if it was the smartest decision. The game is bloody difficult.
 

Zenobia: When did you realize that you wanted to play StarCraft professionally?
Oz: Grade 12. As with all other grade 12s, I was pressured into figuring out what my plans would be for the year after and so on. For the troubled soon-to-be high school graduate, evaluating, deciding and knowing one’s capability, interest and field that one can excel in is as difficult as a Bronze player winning a series against a Grand Master player. To find out more about myself, I packed my stuff and daringly left for Seoul.

Zenobia: What was your dream job before you wanted to be a pro gamer?
Oz: Before pro gaming, I wanted to become either a doctor or a lawyer. I thought anybody could become one. As time passed, I began to realize that I was not cut out for those. #Reality and #GG.

Zenobia: Were your parents supportive of your decision to be a pro gamer?
Oz: A grade 12 child telling his parents that he wants to become a pro gamer cannot be seen too kindly. My parents were no different. Now, I do not suggest the specific method I chose to turn my parents around to readers, but I left home to prove to them my dedication and desire to be one. Kids, please do not try this. Be smarter. Life outside ain’t as easy as it seems.

Oz (cont.): Anyways, going back to the story: when I came back, I asked for their understanding again, and succeeded in convincing them this time. Since then, they have been my number one fans. They check all my games and cheer regardless of results. I have tried to teach my father the game to help them watch and analyze better, but despite all efforts, all I got was “this game is more thrilling when watching” and “just do well yourself”.

Zenobia: What do you miss most about home?
Oz: The family quality time. I have been living in Seoul by myself since grade 12, and now I’m 25. It has been too long. Way too long.
 
Zenobia: What is your favorite thing to do outside StarCraft?
Oz: Football. Football. And football. I love both watching and playing it.
 
Zenobia: Do you have any shout-outs or final comments?
Oz: Ro8s. Semis. Finals. It is time for me to be the final victor. I am sick and tired of being other people’s stepping stone. On one final note, I hope Polt and HyuN do not make it through their brackets. They have taken enough fame already. Let’s not get too greedy, boys 😀 Oh and thank you so much for the fun interview.

The WCS America round of 16 kicks off today at 15:00 PDT (00:00 CEST) with Group A. Check out the WCS schedule - and tune in to watch - right here.